The “One Container” DoctrineThe “One Container” Doctrine

““One Container” PositionOne Container” Position

Jesus and His disciples drank from one Jesus and His disciples drank from one container at the Passover.container at the Passover.

The early church drank the fruit of the The early church drank the fruit of the vine from one container and multiple vine from one container and multiple containers were not used until the late 19containers were not used until the late 19 thth century (used in churches of Christ after century (used in churches of Christ after 1915).1915).

The one container symbolizes the “new The one container symbolizes the “new covenant” of Christ (a third element in the covenant” of Christ (a third element in the Lord’s Supper).Lord’s Supper).

To use multiple containers is to disobey To use multiple containers is to disobey the command of the Lord “this do”.the command of the Lord “this do”.

Errors of the “one container” Errors of the “one container” positionposition

Both historical and Biblical Both historical and Biblical evidence suggest that multiple evidence suggest that multiple containers were used in the containers were used in the institution of the Lord’s Supper.institution of the Lord’s Supper.

The descriptions of the Passover The descriptions of the Passover from the Mishnah indicate a from the Mishnah indicate a plurality of containers in the plurality of containers in the Passover meal.Passover meal.

The evidence from Scripture The evidence from Scripture shows that Jesus was following shows that Jesus was following the same Seder custom.the same Seder custom.

And when He had taken a cup and given And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and thanks, He said, “Take this and shareshare it it among yourselves; (Luke 22:17)among yourselves; (Luke 22:17)

The Greek term for “share” means to The Greek term for “share” means to “divide” or “distribute”. “divide” or “distribute”.

And while they were eating, Jesus took some And while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ““Drink from it, all of youDrink from it, all of you; for this is My blood ; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. “But I say to you, I will for forgiveness of sins. “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:26-29)My Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:26-29)

Divide! (Lk. 22:17)

Drink! (Mt. 26:26-29)

When Jesus told the disciples to drink When Jesus told the disciples to drink “from it” referring to the “cup”, His “from it” referring to the “cup”, His language did not demand that the disciples language did not demand that the disciples all put their lips to a single container.all put their lips to a single container.– ““You are not greater than our father Jacob, You are not greater than our father Jacob,

are You, who gave us the well, and are You, who gave us the well, and drank of drank of itit himself, and his sons, and his cattle?” himself, and his sons, and his cattle?” (John 4:12)(John 4:12)

Quotes from the early church Quotes from the early church indicate a plural number of indicate a plural number of containers.containers.

An early liturgy of the Lord’s Supper An early liturgy of the Lord’s Supper has this prayer: has this prayer: “We pray and beseech “We pray and beseech Thee, O Lord, in thy mercy, to let they Thee, O Lord, in thy mercy, to let they presence rest upon this bread and these presence rest upon this bread and these chalices chalices on the all-holy table”.on the all-holy table”. (Liturgy).(Liturgy).

The “cup” referred to in the The “cup” referred to in the Lord’s Supper passages is the Lord’s Supper passages is the contents, the fruit of the vine, contents, the fruit of the vine, and is not the container. and is not the container.

In the same way He took In the same way He took the cupthe cup also, also, after supper, saying, “This after supper, saying, “This cupcup is the new is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink you drink itit, in remembrance of Me.” , in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and For as often as you eat this bread and drink the drink the cupcup, you proclaim the Lord’s , you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. Therefore whoever death until He comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the eats the bread or drinks the cupcup of the of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of so let him eat of the bread and drink of the the cupcup. (1 Corinthians 11:25-28). (1 Corinthians 11:25-28)

Clearly the word “cup” by metonymy stands for Clearly the word “cup” by metonymy stands for the “contents”, the fruit of the vine, rather than the “contents”, the fruit of the vine, rather than the container.the container.

No significance is given the container in the NT; No significance is given the container in the NT; spiritual significance is give to the substance in spiritual significance is give to the substance in the container. the container.

The “one cup” position makes the container a The “one cup” position makes the container a third element in the Lord’s supper, a symbol of third element in the Lord’s supper, a symbol of the new covenant in addition to the body and the new covenant in addition to the body and blood of Jesus.blood of Jesus.